Daily Schedule

On today’s show: New Yorker staff writer Ryan Lizza traces the history National Security Agency's intelligence programs since 9/11, and looks at efforts to get the N.S.A. to be more forthcoming about domestic spying programs. Will Forte talks about moving from SNL to co-star opposite Bruce Dern in Alexander Payne’s latest film "Nebraska." We’ll find out about an exhibition at the Neue Galerie of the pioneering abstract painter Vassily Kandinsky. Jamie Fellner of Human Rights Watch discusses how federal prosecutors coerce drug defendants to waive their right to a trial.

Your morning companion from NPR and the WNYC Newsroom, with world news, local features, and weather updates.

A federal judge says that NSA's collection of phone data is probably unconstitutional. Siobhan Gorman, intelligence correspondent for the Wall Street Journal discusses the implication...

The Peabody Award-winning program features Terry Gross’ fearless and insightful interviews with big names in pop culture, politics and the arts.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

All this week, Soundcheck is looking back at the music of 2013 -- from best albums and unstoppable songs to notable duds to our favorite in-studio performances, and much more. Plus, each day Soundcheck host John Schaefer reveals a new pair of entries in his year-end list: "10 Reasons Why New York Music Ruled the World In 2013."

Today, Soundcheck’s very own Mike Katzif reviews the year in hype: the calculated, creative and even mysterious record marketing plans employed by pop music's biggest names -- and even smaller indie acts.

And hear some of our favorite in-studio performances from 2013.

For this New Sounds, listen to music involving yodeling, (the abrupt change of pitch in a voice during a single note) and hockets.  Hocketing is a rhythmic technique where you take two or more musicians and split up the melody between them so that one note, pitch, (or chord) sounds while the other rests.  Listen to music by Merrill Garbus, aka TuneYards, performed by her and some performed by the vocal octet Roomful of Teeth.  Also, from vocal innovator, conductor, and improviser Bobby McFerrin, hear one of his Circle Songs.